Corona arrives at Senate

MANILA, Philippines – Embattled Chief Justice Renato Corona has arrived at the Senate to take the witness stand in his trial.

Corona, whose convoy arrived around 1:20 p.m., was on board a blue ambulance provided by The Medical City hospital in Pasig City where he was confined since Tuesday after he felt ill following his nearly three-hour opening statement.

After suffering from hypoglycemia, a sudden drop of blood sugar, Corona was transferred to the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Chief Justice Renato Corona. INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Following his decision to testify again, Corona was, made to sign a waiver, clearing the hospital from any liability if ever anything would go wrong with his health during the trial – given that his doctors have openly expressed their reservations about his return to the Senate.

Senior Superintendent Rolando Asuncion, the chief of staff of the Southern Police District, said that no group of protesters – pro- or anti-Corona – has arrived.

A “sufficient” number of personnel from the Pasay police and District Public Safety Battalion were deployed to the Senate.

Senate security personnel beefed up their own arrangements, blocking the fire exit which the media used when the chief magistrate arrived for his testimony last Tuesday.

Television crew and journalists were also requested to remain within the designated areas, particularly along the hallway going to the plenary hall.

Senate staff repeatedly told the media that they would not be allowed into the parking area to protect the chief justice against the onslaught of attention which security personnel were unable to fend off last Tuesday.